This article discusses legal rulings concerning psychotherapists in the United States. A review of these rulings reveals that: privilege of communications may be overruled; lawsuits may be brought against psychiatrists because they were unable to curb their counter-transference or because they had sexual encounters with patients; psychiatrists were found not guilty if their patients died by suicide; involuntary psychotherapy may be ordered by the court; & psychotherapistsÕ records are private material & should not be published. (18 refs) (SC)